Los Angeles-class Attack Submarine USS Providence Returns to Naval Submarine Base New London

Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Providence (SSN 719) returned to Naval Submarine Base New London on, April 8 after conducting operations in support of Joint Task Force (JTF) Odyssey Dawn.

Providence was part of a group of American and British ships and submarines that launched missiles on Libyan air defenses begining March 19.

JTF Odyssey Dawn, a U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, was disestablished March 30.

“The crew performed exactly the way we were trained and did everything that the president and our commanders wanted us to do,” said Cmdr. Raymond Gabriel, commanding officer of Providence.

Fast-attack submarines like Providence have multi-faceted missions. They use their stealth, persistence, agility and firepower to deploy and support special force operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary’s military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity, and ensure undersea superiority.

Providence was commissioned on July 27, 1995. She is the fifth U.S. Navy warship named for the capitol of Rhode Island.

By Lt. Patrick Evans (navy)
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Source: navy, April 11, 2011;